HOW TO Throw a Party with ADIRA for the ADIRAT (and survive to tell the tale)

Founded in 2023 by Syrian-German podcaster Zuher Jazmati (aka xanax_attax) and Lebanese artist Hassandra, ADIRA is a self-organised non-heteronormative Arab club night series and collective that challenges Orientalist stereotypes and embraces the diversity of Arab identities. Their mission is to revive the nostalgia of 80s, 90s, and early 00s Arabic pop music, paying homage to iconic divas like Nawal Al Zoghbi, Haifa Wehbe, and Assala alongside the unforgettable one-hit wonders from Melody Hits. 

As a collective, it curates community events, panels, drag shows, and workshops that aim to strengthen the community and provide more space for individuals to grow. Whether they’re DJs, drag performers, or activists, ADIRA provides a platform for emerging and established Arab talents in Berlin and beyond. Through a commitment to creating safe(r) environments and fostering deep community connections, the collective welcomes allies and lovers of Arabic music to join in its celebration of Arab culture.

Here is how they throw parties you never forget:

1. Find a venue.
   Club, warehouse, abandoned office building—it doesn’t matter, as long as there’s space to sweat and somewhere to stash the guestlist.
   
2. Set the tone: sound, safety, and scene.
   Sound: Pop. Arab. Bangers. No deep techno sets, please. Thank yewww
   Safety: Awareness team because we actually care for your well-being!
   Scene: Cheesy rose blankets, bizir, bakhoor, dates, everyone pretending it’s effortless.
   
3. Book DJs and performers who understand the assignment.
   No lazy Spotify vibes. We want chaos, camp, and those tracks that turn the room upside down.
   
4. Start promo. Regret it immediately.
   Instagram posts, endless DM chains, and someone definitely forgetting the ticket link every other day. Or people messaging you on the day of the party asking where the event is taking place (it’s written everywhere), whether they get a guestlist spot (no lol), or whether they still can get a ticket (we sold out weeks ago). You would lose your mind. It’s fine, though.
   
5. Prepare for everything to fall apart.
   Artist suddenly cancelling on you? Turning down people because our awareness team doesn’t trust you? Someone spilled beer on the mixer or just annoys the DJs with music requests? Standard.
   
6. Host like your ex is watching.
   Be the best dressed (no one will steal our show!) and look unbothered. Stay hydrated. Pretend you’re not panicking. Kiss a few people on the cheek, dodge small talk, and dance until the lights come on.
   
7. Wrap it up and pretend you’ll never do it again.
   The next morning: group chat popping off, voice notes full of “KHALAAAS AAAAh”, and 300 blurry videos of the same 10 seconds. Business as usual.
   
8. The truth?
   It’s a mess. It’s iconic. We’ll see you at the next one.